Celtic Festival - Saline

We attended the Saline Celtic Festival Saturday. It was great! Unfortunately, I did not get photos of everything that took place, but here are a few.

Firing up the crowd

Preparing to joust

Sheaf Toss

Marching to competition

The lovely sound of the pipes

Flags from Scotland and Ireland

Inside the acoustic music tent

Hammered dulcimer

More pipes

Broadsword demonstration

Birds of prey

Ski Lift - Gaylord

These photos were taken in at Tree Tops Resort in Gaylord in early May. This is what a ski lift looks like with no snow. When you take some of the pieces by themselves, they look like something from a science fiction movie.

Rob

Trilliums - Meridian Township

Piper and I went for a walk at Harris Nature Center this afternoon. Fortunately for me, the trilliums were in bloom. Trilliums are my favorite flower. I think it is because they are simple and elegant. They also have an ephemeral quality, because they are short lived. However, when they are in bloom, I enjoy them tremendously. Today, I was able to enjoy thousands of them! Here are a few.

And one tired (but happy) puppy.

Happy Squirrel - Williamston

I looked out the window the other day and saw this squirrel helping itself to the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder. It must have thought it found a great new free diner.

Robin

Spring Flowers - Williamston

It is the second day of spring, and it actually looks like spring! Mother Nature is at least one month ahead this year. I do not know if it will continue, but I am enjoying it while it lasts. Here are some photos from around my yard.

Forsythia

Flowering Cherry

Magnolia

St. Patrick's Day - Grand Ledge

Saturday was the most amazing St. Patrick's Day I have experienced in a long time. The weather was beautiful, and I was around a lot of great Irish folks. Here are some photos from the parade in Grand Ledge.

 

Early Spring Day - Williamston

What a beautiful day today. The temperature was 75, and the sun was shining. It is very unusual for a mid-March day in Michigan. I took full advantage of the nice weather to go for a long walk. Here are some photos from the Michigan Nature Association's Red Cedar Preserve.

This is the entrance. It is not heavily advertised, so you have to know where you are going.



I am not sure what these are, but there were a lot of them coming up near the river.



This is the Red Cedar River with clouds reflected in the water.



There were a couple of kayakers enjoying the day.



I love the way the boardwalk seems to disappear into nothing.



Last photo for the day. This is the flood plain doing its job.


Robin